soooooooo...I've joined GOOD READS finally. I had a number of friends inviting me, and since I really want to start reading more again, I thought it would be fun, interesting, and helpful! So if you want to connect on good reads, let me know! I've already "drug" a few of you over there with me!
Speaking of reading...Ethan is still an amazing reader and has gotten into chapter books! He reads to me aloud while I edit photos on the computer. Right now he loves the Magic tree House series. It is kind of hard to find books of an appropriate subject matter on his reading level. But he likes these and I find them to be a little more interesting than most of the other kid series of this level. He reads them so fluently and easily. I'm so proud of him.
And as long as we are still on the subject of reading, my friend TRISHA is a total Twilight fan, and my sisters are currently reading the series too...so I think as soon as I can nab the first book I'll have a go at it myself. It is all I hear about now days! Seriously! I tried looking up some Christian reviews on it and have concluded that I'll go ahead and read it. I'm excited because it has been a while since I've read fiction! Any of you out there Twilight readers too???
This is Levi's new forced/fake smile for the camera. Yeah...I laugh at it too.
I just have to up my tactics when trying to get a genuine smile for a picture. No problem. Yet a couple cheesy pictures now and then are fun to keep around!
Those of you who know me, know how much I love Christian music. It has been an influential part of my life since I was a little girl, and continues to be a huge part of my everyday. Steven Curtis Chapman has been one of the biggest artists that has blessed me since around 1991. His whole family has inspired me through the years. It is with a sad sad heart that I share the news of what happened to his family last Wednesday. His youngest daughter, Maria Sue, adopted from China, was tragically killed in their home's driveway. You can read more of what heppened at his website: http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/ and here Fox News Report. I am heartbroken to hear of this darling 5 year olds sudden departure from her loving family. PLEASE pray for the Chapmans. PLEASE remember to keep them in your prayers for a long time to come. Thanks.
Just about everyday, when I look into Ethan's beautiful blue eyes, I am so thankful that they are no longer crossed. It is so wonderful to see him back to himself. His eyes look wonderful! (Here are a few random pics I've taken at a couple of his recent visits with his Doctor.)
And everything else that goes along with this ordeal is coming out great...his eyesight, his muscles, his scars, everything. Praise God. He is off all medications, the redness is fading, he is down to only a small amount of eye exercises per day, and we don't need to see his Ophthalmologist as often as we were. Cute story to share: One day, as Ethan was doing some exercises while on the couch, Levi (who was sitting beside him) began trying to do it to! Ethan was holding up his thumb and moving it from side to side as his eyes followed it. There was Levi, his tiny thumb up, moving it though the air like Ethan! I cracked up. Now, all Ethan has to do is say "Levi, eye exercises" and Levi's thumb goes up, moving about. So cute. Thanks again, everyone, for your prayers & support!
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
ROMANS 12:10 NLT
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The greatest gift is a portion of yourself.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON
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When we love each other, God lives in us and his love within us grows ever stronger.
1 JOHN 4:12 TLB
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Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
John 13:35 NLT
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I wanted to take a minute to say...be blessed and bless others...be loved and love others...Happy Valentine's Day.
The photo above is from 2006, and I just recently made the layout for Queen & Co. using their brand new Valentines scrapbook products. They used it for their CHA Tradeshow booth last week. And here are a few more past Velentine-ish stuff I've made for Queen & Co, Creating Keepsakes Magazine, and just for fun. (You can click on an image to see it larger)
My Brother Josh, and sister-in-law Candice, have welcomed their second son into the family! Baby Brody Lee Jaehn was born Monday, February 4, at 7:16 pm.
Just look at that face...he is absolutely adorable! I am so in awe of newborn babies. I took these pictures of him when he was an hour and 34 minutes old (young).
Mommy & Baby are both healthy and doing wonderful, praise God.
Josh looked very proud!
And little Aden is a big brother now! He loved touching and holding the baby, but he was anxious to get back to all the fun going on in the waiting room with his cousins!
Brody's Stats:
7 lbs. 3 oz. 19.5" long 13" chest 13.5" head
And I never posted these maternity shots I did for Candice, so I'll toss them into the mix too:
Welcome to the club of TWO SONS...Congratulations Josh & Candice! And you can add your congrats to them as well, in the comment link below. I'm sure they'd love to hear from you.
God has answered our EVERY prayer.
Towards the evening yesterday, I asked Ethan how he was doing, and he said GREAT. He said it was the best day ever. He LOVED the pampering and attention! One time, out of the blue, he shot his arms up and happily exclaimed "my eyes are fixed"!
He is up and playing. He rarely complains about his eyes. The Doc said with this procedure, it would take an adult two weeks to recovery to the point that a child can do in two days!
His post op today went great. As soon as the nurse sat him in the examination chair, he was sure to inform her "My surgery is OVER", just in case she thought he was there to have it today! Too cute. Dr. Nelson says his eyes are looking good! He is now supposed to do a new set of eye muscle exercises everyday (until we see her again in 2 weeks) , and continue the eye cream through Sunday. The Nurses gave us the idea to apply the medicine when he sleeps, too. We tried that a couple of times, but he woke up. His Aunt Susie said that if he makes a medicine chart and fills it with a good marks, she will send him tickets to a movie of his choice. So he is excited to try and make that work.
I love it when Ethan looks at me now, and BOTH of his eyes are on me. It has been a long time! They are bloody, but they still look miraculous to me!
Again, thank-you, thank-you, thank-you. We feel so blessed with each email, post, phone call, card, and visit. EVERY one. I can't even describe how much everyone's support and prayers have helped us. We pray each of you are blessed in return. YOU ALL ROCK!
Praise God...the hardest part is over! The surgery went well, and Ethan did great!
BEFORE:
When they were ready for Ethan this morning, (they were running 15 minutes late) he was hesitant to leave us, he almost started crying...but once his feet hit the floor, he just took the hand of the nurse and walked with her into the O.R., he didn't even look back at us! SO brave!
An hour later, it was such a wonderful thing to see Dr. Nelson smiling as she walked into the waiting room. She said everything went perfectly, as planned.
It was hard for me, though, when we saw Ethan for the first time. He was crying and scared, but he really calmed down once he was able to snuggle into Jerry's arms.
He took a nap when we got home, and is sort of awake now, doing well. He'll get a little emotional now and then, but for the most part he is really doing so good! He is asking for the little presents we promised for him!
And yesterday we went to the library and checked out a whole bunch of books in audio, and since he won't really open his eyes too much, I think those will come in handy today!
Thank-you so much for your prayers, love, and support. We are overwhelmed by the caring response from each person who has "stood by our side" through this. Those near, far, and very far, THANK-YOU SO MUCH!
Please continue to pray for Ethan, and I'll keep you posted!
